Recent Approvals by Central government – April 19 2017

The union cabinet headed by PM Modi has given its approval to several MoUs or agreements, Projects and schemes on April 19, 2017.

Cabinet approves procurement of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail Units for use in the General Elections, 2019

Union Cabinet has given its approval for procurement of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) Units for use in the General Elections, 2019.

Govt. will purchase total 16,15,000 VVPAT units during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Tentative price of each unit is Rs. 19650/-. These units will be purchased from Bharat Electronics Ltd., Bangalore and Electronics Corporation of India Ltd., Hyderabad.

How does VVPAT work?

VVPAT unit is attached to the EVM in the voting compartment. As soon as the voter presses the button on the EVM to cast his vote, the VVPAT generates a paper slip and displays it to the voter through a screen.

This slip contains the name, serial number and symbol of the chosen candidate. After seven seconds, the slip is automatically cut and dropped down in a sealed box.

The purpose of VVPAT is to provide a mechanism to voters for cross checking whether his vote has actually been registered for chosen candidate. Thus VVPAT becomes a testimony that the EVM has not been hacked or tampered.

Union Cabinet has given its approval for Ex-post facto approval for Constitution (One Hundred and Twenty-third Amendment) Bill 2017 and (ii) National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017.

The Constitution 123rd amendment bill will insert Article 338B in the Indian Constitution, which will list out the structure and functions of the proposed National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.

It will also insert a new article 342A which empowers the President to specify the socially and educationally backward classes by public notification.

The National Commission for Backward Classes (Repeal) Bill, 2017 will repeal the National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993 and will dissolve the National Commission for Backward Classes.

Besides, in order to ensure continuity in the functioning of the National Commission for Backward Classes under Article 338B, cabinet has also approved retention of posts/incumbents and office premises held by the existing National Commission for Backward Classes by the proposed new National Commission for Socially and Educationally Backward Classes.

Cabinet approves signing of the Protocol amending the Convention between India and Portugal for avoidance of Double Taxation

In order to ensure prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income, Union Cabinet has given its approval for signing of a Protocol amending the Convention between India and Portugal for avoidance of double taxation.

Once the protocol is operational, Tax officials of India and Portugal would be able to exchange information which shall help in curbing tax evasion.

Portugal :

Capital: Lisbon

Currency: Euro

Prime minister: António Costa

Govt bans red beacons on all VIP vehicles, including PM’s from May 1

The Union Cabinet has decided to impose a ban on the use of red beacons atop vehicles of government officials and VIPs. This rule will be effective from May 1, 2017.

The ban also applies to vehicles of Prime Minister, President, Vice-President, Chief Justice of India, Chief Ministers of States, Central and State Cabinet ministers, Judges of High Courts and Supreme Court and all bureaucrats.

Beacons will be allowed only for emergency vehicles viz. ambulances and fire brigades as well as for police and army vehicles.

Cabinet Approves Extending Sugar Stock Limit for 6 Months

Union Cabinet has approved a proposal of extending stock limits on sugar traders by another six months till October 2017.

This decision has been taken to keep sugar prices in check and thereby control any spike in the inflation.

For sugar traders, current stock limit has been fixed at 500 tonnes (1000 tonnes in West Bengal) with turnover limit of 30 days.

The Govt. believes that despite of availability of stock for consumption, the tendency of hoarding and profiteering by sugar traders will create an artificial shortage and will drive up the prices.